Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,49
felt the wetness against his fingertips, his awe increased.
She hurriedly wiped away the tears, leaving her cheeks filled with crimson.
She forced a small laugh. It was a sound he knew he would cherish in his heart for the rest of his days.
“Something must have flown into my eyes. Pay me no heed. Thank you for the story. It was such a sad tale.”
“That it is. Have you ever lost anyone dear to you, my lady?”
She shook her head. “I have only ever lost one person, Mr. Giraud, our coachman. I hardly knew him, yet my heart grieves still for him. Especially as I cannot rid myself of the guilt that I brought his death upon him.”
Stephen nodded. Perhaps she did not feel his kind of pain but, in a way, she understood.
“I cannot imagine how much harder it would be, if it were someone I loved so greatly. Losing a dear one is such a terrible thing. Even now, my heart goes out to Mr. Giraud’s family, and to you. How long has it been?”
“Three years,” he answered easily. “It might as well have been only a day,” he added in a whisper, but she heard him anyway.
She reached for his hands and took them in hers.
A shudder rippled through his spine at the contact, but he hid it well, giving nothing away.
“You have suffered so much, and I do not have the power to make any promises I can keep. Nevertheless, I pray for you now and always, that your pain will ease and that you will laugh again … and truly live again.”
Her words were like a healing salve for his broken soul.
“Lady Judith, you are far too kind. Thank you, really.”
Her lips spread in a small smile. It warmed his heart no end.
“Think nothing of it. It is the least I can do.”
He almost smiled.
If only she knew. If only.
Chapter 19
Things changed between Stephen and Judith after that day by the brook.
Their relationship grew into something closer. Neither of them tried to address it, but they found themselves spending more and more time with each other.
Having Stephen at dinner became something to look forward to. Then, there were the rides they took out into the fields, and the walks around the castle.
Judith knew people were beginning to whisper but it was nothing malicious. If anything, they were hopeful whispers.
Whatever it was they hoped for, she did not concern herself with.
She knew she was treading a dangerous path, and she could no longer be certain that she had not tripped and had already begun to fall.
Sometimes, she wondered if Amy was indeed correct; if the duke might care for her, as she did for him…
Amy had advised that it would be wise to speak to the duke about it. But Judith could not bring herself to do so. The thought of it mortified her. So, she simply took each day as it came, grateful for every wonderful moment by his side.
He had begun to smile. The first time she had seen him smile, it had become quite clear to her that he had occupied a place in her heart; a very special place.
It had been as though she had suddenly sprouted wings and was soaring in the air. That was how his happiness made her feel; as though it were hers.
She found herself looking forward to the times when she could finally draw out his laughter. She hoped she would accomplish it before she had to leave.
Leaving. It was something she tried not to think of. Yet, on some days, the thought plagued her mind, refusing to leave her in peace.
It was quite amusing to realize she was more reluctant to leave Dunham than she was eager to return to the family she had known all her life.
Still, the time would come, that was certain. And when it did, she would have to say her goodbyes.
It was such thoughts that lay heavily on her heart one quiet afternoon. She decided to bury herself in books to keep them away.
She visited the library, distracting her mind with the tales of others, content to be by herself.
Sometimes, she found her mind straying to thoughts of him, but she pulled it back, forcing herself to dig deeper into the words in the book.
Alas, it appeared the universe had other plans, for it was not long after she had managed to achieve that feat, that the library doors opened, and the duke entered.